Monday: Compline

ABOUT COMPLINE

Compline (which comes from the Latin word for completion) follows a very ancient format that has been largely unchanged for many centuries. It is simple enough to memorise and it’s familiar rhythm helps to wonderfully settle the mind before sleep. It is a time of quietness and reflection and is best done as the very last thing you do before turning off the lights and going to sleep.

CALL TO WORSHIP

Reader: God, come to my assistanceAll:Lord, make haste to help me.

Reader:Glory be to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. All:As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen

EXAMINATION OFCONSCIENCE

We are called to have a clear conscience towards God and towards men, in our hearts and in our minds, in our actions and inactions. To do so, it is vital that we examine our conscience daily and ask for God’s mercy as we fall short and to ask His strength to do better.

Pause for Reflection…

All: (When praying in community, use the words in parenthesis)

I confess to God almighty,(and to you my brothers and sisters,)
that I have greatly sinned,
In my thoughts and in my words,
in what I have done and in what I have failed to do.
Through my fault, through my foolishness,And through my fear.

Almighty God, have mercy upon me.Forgive me all my sins,and deliver me from all evil.Confirm and strengthen me in all goodness,and bring me to life everlasting.Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Pause for Reflection…

Reader: Lord, Have mercy.All:Lord, have mercy. Reader: Christ, Have mercy. All:Christ, have mercy. Reader: Lord, Have mercy.All:Lord, have mercy.

EVENING PSALM

Psalm 8

The Glory of the Lord in CreationTo the Chief Musician. On the instrument of Gath. A Psalm of David.

O Lord, our Lord,How excellent is Your name in all the earth,Who have set Your glory above the heavens!

Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infantsYou have ordained strength,Because of Your enemies,That You may silence the enemy and the avenger.

When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,The moon and the stars, which You have ordained,What is man that You are mindful of him,And the son of man that You visit him?For You have made him a little lower than the angels,And You have crowned him with glory and honor.

You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands;You have put all things under his feet,All sheep and oxen—Even the beasts of the field,The birds of the air,And the fish of the seaThat pass through the paths of the seas.

O Lord, our Lord,How excellent is Your name in all the earth!

All:Glory be to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen

WORSHIP

All:
(A time of worship and thanksgiving, led or spontaneous. Alternatively a devotional song may be played and listened to.)

NEW TESTAMENT READING

Acts 2:42-47

The Fellowship of the Believers

And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles.And all who believed were together and had all things in common.And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts,praising God and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

RESPONSORY

Reader:Glory be to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. All:Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit.

SONG OF SIMEON (Nunc Dimitis)

All:Protect us, Lord, as we stay awake;Watch over us as we sleep,That awake, we may keep watch with Christ,And asleep, may rest in his peace.

Luke 2:29-32

Lord, now let your servant depart in peace, your word has been fulfilled:My own eyes have seen the salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people.A light to reveal you to the nations,and the glory of your people, Israel.

All:Glory be to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen

All:Protect us, Lord, as we stay awake;Watch over us as we sleep,That awake, we may keep watch with Christ,And asleep, may rest in his peace.

PRAYER

(You might like to spend a few moments thanking God for the day or bringing to him any outstanding issues.)

COLLECT

Reader:(Either this or an alternative closing prayer may be said.)

Be present, O God,
And protect us through the silent hours of this night,
So that we who are wearied by the changes and chances of this fleeting world,
May rest upon your eternal changelessness.
We ask this through Jesus Christ, your son our Lord,
Who is alive and reigns with you,
In the unity of the Spirit,
One God, now and forever, Amen

BLESSING

Reader:(When praying in community, this or a similar blessing may be used)

May the all-powerful Lord grant us a restful night and a peaceful end. Amen